If we’re giving out draft grades for “Draft Day,” these are not pretty.
Some have been downright brutal.
That feeling many Browns fans have on Monday morning after a loss? That might be how director Ivan Reitman and actor Kevin Costner are feeling today.
If this were two, three years from now in the real NFL, “Draft Day” would have bust written all over it. Instead, it’s just a few days later following the film’s nationwide release. Still, “bust” is sounding like the operative word in North America.
According to reports, “Draft Day,” the film — with a reported $25 million budget — about Browns general manager Sonny Weaver Jr. (Costner) and his day wheeling and dealing leading up to the NFL draft, pulled in a disappointing $9.8 million in 2,781 theaters.
The NFL might sell on TV sets, but the big screen is another thing. Many negative reviews — several within shouting distance of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s office in New York City — likely didn’t help either.
A sampling across North America, courtesy of the movie website RottenTomatoes.com:
“Draft Day is a diluted mix of Jerry Maguire and Moneyball that lacks the emotional pull of the former and the intelligence of the later.” Perry Seibert, TV Guide’s Movie Guide
“Draft Day is an enjoyable and sentimental sports drama that, sadly, falls short of greatness — one that might also require die-hard football fans to suspend serious disbelief.” Ben Kendrick, ScreenRant
“Under the steady hand of Costner, it scores — not a touchdown, but a field goal.” Annlee Ellingson, L.A. Biz
“It’s a sign of Costner’s enduring stardom that he can skate through a movie this hyperactive and dull, yet still have you like him.” Wesley Morris, Grantland.com
“Not destined for Costner’s personal hall of fame.” Peter Howell, Toronto Star
“All of these interesting performers can’t save a dull script.” Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com
“At times, the film seems like a highlight reel interrupted by a forgettable movie.” Peter Keough, Boston Globe
“A shallow and evasive movie, built more around corporate wish fulfillment than around reality.” A.O. Scott, New York Times
“Lacking feeling and momentum, Draft Day seems like it would be more successful as an ad for this year’s NFL draft, rather than a piece of worthwhile entertainment.” Jordan Adler, We Got This Covered
“Draft Day is lumbering and predictable, and its hero general manager is so dumb, it should have been called Dummyball.” Kyle Smith, New York Post
“Haven’t Cleveland fans suffered enough? Not only have they have never won a Super Bowl, but now the Browns serve as the center of Ivan Reitman’s painfully creaky sports drama.” Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
“To paraphrase Mel Kiper, it’s obvious to me the makers of Draft Day don’t understand what the draft’s all about.” Stephen Silver, EntertainmentTell
“At least the movie absolutely nails the dysfunctional, pathetic execution of the Cleveland Browns’ front office.” Phil Villarreal, COED.com
To save the most brutal for last ...
“Draft Day is one of the dumbest movies about sports ever made because it’s one of the dumbest ideas for a movie about sports that anyone has ever had, a fictional film about pro football that isn’t even actually about football.” Jack Hamilton, Slate
Like I said, it’s not pretty. To be fair, there are many reviews nationwide that are favorable, but it’s fairly obvious “Draft Day” won’t go down in sports film history with the likes of “Hoosiers,” “Rocky,” and Costner-led classics “Bull Durham” and “Field of Dreams.”
I liked the film. It’s not my favorite sports film of all-time — not even in the ballpark — but, like many of you, I’ve lived in Northeast Ohio for most of my life, so take that for what it’s worth.
For comparison-sake, “Major League” — arguably the most beloved sports film in Northeast Ohio history — fared much better than it’s football counterpart on its opening weekend. The films debuted almost 25 years apart from each other to the date.
“Major League,” which opened on April 7, 1989, was No. 1 at the box office in its first week, earning a reported $8.8 million on 1,541 screens. Remember, we’re talking about 25 years ago, when the average price of movie ticket was $3.97, according to the website BoxOfficeMojo.com. According to the site, an average movie ticket in 2014 is $8.35.
Sports film are traditionally tough sells — “The Blind Side” is the only one to crack $200 million and only six more, three of them “Rocky” films, have topped $100 million — but the opening-weekend receipts have to be a disappointment for the filmmakers, Goodell and the NFL.
Many of the national critics are saying save that $8.35. I say see it if you’re a fan of the Browns, who can’t seem to catch a break these days.

About the Author

Mark's an Ohio State graduate who's been with The News-Herald since 1996. He enjoys exercising, reading, writing, cooking, spending time with his family and college football. Reach the author at mpodolski@news-herald.com
or follow Mark on Twitter: @mpodo.